Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has left an indelible mark on global health, extending beyond the immediate respiratory symptoms to longer-term complications, including chronic voice disorders. The research article titled "Chronic voice disorder after coronavirus disease 2019 infection and its treatment using the cricothyroid visor maneuver: a case report" offers a beacon of hope for practitioners seeking effective treatments for such conditions.
Understanding the Research
This case study explores the use of the Cricothyroid Visor Maneuver (CVM) as a therapeutic intervention for muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) in a patient post-COVID-19. The study highlights the potential of CVM to alleviate symptoms by reducing laryngeal muscle tension, thereby improving voice quality. The participant, a 55-year-old retired teacher, underwent ten sessions of CVM therapy, which resulted in significant improvements in voice quality as measured by various auditory perceptual and acoustic assessments.
Key Findings
- Auditory Perceptual Improvements: The Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V) showed a marked reduction in voice quality deviance post-treatment.
- Acoustic Enhancements: Acoustic measures such as jitter and shimmer decreased, while maximum phonation time and cepstral peak prominence increased, indicating improved vocal stability and quality.
- Endoscopic Imaging: Videolaryngostroboscopy revealed enhanced mucosal wave activity and vocal fold vibration amplitude, suggesting reduced muscle tension.
- Patient Self-Assessment: The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores improved significantly, reflecting the patient's perception of enhanced voice quality.
Implications for Practitioners
The study underscores the importance of integrating innovative manual therapy techniques like CVM into treatment protocols for post-COVID-19 dysphonia. Practitioners are encouraged to consider CVM as a viable option, particularly for patients exhibiting chronic symptoms resistant to conventional therapies. The positive outcomes of this case study suggest that CVM could be a game-changer in voice therapy, offering a targeted approach to muscle tension reduction.
Encouragement for Further Research
While the findings are promising, they are based on a single case study. There is a need for further research involving larger sample sizes and control groups to validate the efficacy of CVM across diverse populations. Additionally, exploring the integration of CVM with other therapeutic modalities could provide a more comprehensive treatment framework for dysphonia.
Conclusion
The potential long-term health and communication consequences of COVID-19 are just beginning to be understood. This study highlights the promising role of CVM in addressing chronic dysphonia post-COVID-19, offering a pathway to improved patient outcomes. Practitioners are encouraged to explore this technique further and contribute to the growing body of research in this field.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Chronic voice disorder after coronavirus disease 2019 infection and its treatment using the cricothyroid visor maneuver: a case report.
